How to play the digital piano

How to play the digital piano Learn to play the digital piano ChaptersCan the digital piano replace the acoustic piano?Different ways to learn to play the digital pianoLearn to play the digital piano with private lessonsWith their fingers moving quickly across the keys, showcasing an unfathomable suppleness and dexterity, the virtuoso pianist leaves their mark on the listeners of any performance.Ray Charles, Nina Simone, and Stevie Wonder have all left their mark on the world of music, and their melodies have provided a backdrop to generations of fans. The way they play keys, press the pedals, and that expression on their face as they play all seem to exude a certain enigmatic sensuality. But does a musician’s performance depend on whether they’re playing a piano keyboard or an electric piano?A 2010 study by the chamber of instrument sellers in France found that the total market for musical instruments came to about $300 million per year.Out of this total however, it’s interesting to note that the total cost of acoustic pianos being sold was slightly less than money from digital piano and keyboard sales, making up 15% and 16% respectively.Keyboards and digital pianos are now an integral part of the music market today, especially given the amazing success of different Japanese and Korean brands.The Japanese Casio and Yamaha brands, for example, have become synonymous with children's first piano lessons. They specialize in models like the Clavinova or the Silent system, and make up a whopping 15-20% of total revenue from instruments sold in 2010.There are many reasons the professional pianists and amateur piano players alike would choose to play digital pianos instead of the heavy, expensive, and bulky acoustic piano models. Are acoustic pianos perhaps destined to become extinct, relegated to public gardens and middle school music classes in favor of Yamaha arias and Casio privia?It’s another good reason to consider learning to play the digital piano and how to take advantage of all its features in order to become a modern, 21st century, piano virtuoso.SaveSave

Online Square Root of 250 Tutors

Online Square Root of 250 Tutors Square root of 250 is written using the square root radical sign as 250 and it can be simplified further by splitting the number 250 into its prime factors. 250 is split into its prime factors as 2 * 5 * 5 * 5 which implies 250 = (2 * 5 * 5 * 5). Now we can simplify this further by pulling out the number which is multiplied to itself. This gives 250 = 5 * (2 * 5) = 510. Therefore the square root of 250 is 250 = 510. Example 1: Find the value of the expression, 40 + 250. Here each square root radical should be simplified further. 40 = (2* 2* 2* 5). Now pull out the number which is repeating twice inside the radical. This gives: 40 = 2(2* 5)= 210 and similarly 250 = 510. So, 40 + 250 = 210 + 510 = (2 + 5) 10 = 710. (They are like terms since they have the same radical 10 and hence can be added). Hence the value of the expression, 40 + 250 is = 710. Example 2: Find the value of the expression, 250 - 10. Here each square root radical should be simplified further. 10 = (2* 5)and it is already in its simplified form as no number is repeating twice inside the radical to be pulled out. And we have 250 = 510. So, 250 - 10 = 510 -110 = (5 1) 10 = 410. (They are like terms since they have the same radical 10 and hence can be added). Hence the value of the expression, 250- 10 is = 410.

Spanish History at a Glance

Spanish History at a Glance The History of Spain ChaptersSpain During the Antiquity: Roman HispaniaThe Medieval Period between Muslims and ChristiansModern Spanish History: Colonialism and DecadenceContemporary Spanish History: From Franco to DemocracyThe history of Spain is full of events including Catholic monarchies and civil wars that have made the country one of the richest in terms of history. From Andalusia to Cantabria, the Iberian Peninsula has gone through some turbulent times to get to where it is today.As you probably know, the history of Europe wouldn’t be what it is today with the role played by Spain, especially during the time of the Holy Roman Empire.In this article, we’re summarising the entire history of Spain from the colonisation of the area by Phoenicians during the Antiquity to Franco’s dictatorship during the modern era and all the important dates in between. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all o ur tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpain During the Antiquity: Roman HispaniaSpain was populated by Neanderthals during the Lower Paleolithic era but it wasn’t until the 2nd millennium BCE that it was populated by Phoenicians and Greeks. During this time, Celts populated the north of Spain.There are still a lot of Roman ruins in Spain like the Roman amphitheatre in Mérida, Extremadura. (Source: Luisfpizarro)Let’s jump forward to the 3rd century BCE when the Carthaginians, weakened by the Punic War against Rome, started to expand their territories. Thus, Hamilcar Barca founded Barcelona.He was defeated by the Romans but his son Hannibal took the helm and took back Saguntum in 219 BCE, starting the Second Punic War. Rome would win this war and the subsequent spoils. Rome founded the city of Italica in Spain in 206 BCE.Spain, which was called Hispania at the time, was completely Roman apart from a number of indigenous peoples. In 77 BCE Pompey was put in charge before Caesar Augustus was named governor.It wasn’t until 19 BCE that Spain was integrated and became one of the provinces of Rome. This large territory was administered without too many problems and Hispania was studied and mapped by historians.By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was under thread from the Goths. The Visigoths were the first to penetrate Spain in 415. These populations were regularly in conflict with Rome.In 475, the Visigoth Euric received Spain and part of Gaul from Romans wishing for peace. This, along with the fall of Ravenna in 476 would lead to the fall of the Roman Empire.Thus, by the end of the Antiquity, Spain was under Visigoth rule. The Barbarians had gained control of the Iberian territory.Find out more in our quick guide to Spain.The Medieval Period between Muslims and ChristiansIn 477, the Visigoths became the masters of Spain. While their approach was based on war, they did provide a certain level of security during the time they occupied Spain.Medieval Spain, like elsewhere in Europe, was constantly a battlefield which led to the construction of many castles. (Source: jackmac34)At the start of the 6th century, the Visigoths were driven from Southern Gaul by Clovis and were solely concentrated in Spain. They ceded the South of Spain to the Byzantine Empire in 554.The Goths were followers of Arianism. The main difference between Arianism and Christianity is that the Arians believe that Jesus was a human that possessed some divinity, a demigod of sorts. In 587, the Visigoth king Reccared I abandoned Arianism and converted to Christ ianity.654 was an important year for the Visigoths as they published the Liber Ludiciorum, or the Visigothic Code, the first set of laws in the Visigoth Kingdom.The end of the Visigoth Empire came in 711 after a defeat to the Saracens. This is when there was a time of independent Spanish kingdoms, a time that would last until 1474.The Arab conquest was stopped in Poitiers in 732 by Charles Martel. They decided to settle in Spain.One of the first Muslim kingdoms was created in Cordoba in 756 and ruled by Abd Al-Rahman I. The Kingdom of Pamplona, which was occupied in 476 by Visigoths, was occupied by Moors in the 8th century until 778 when they were driven out by Charlemagne.The Reconquista was launched in Spain by Alfonso III (conquering Porto in 868 and Coimbra in 878) and carried on by his descendants such as the Count of Castile Diego Rodríguez Porcelos.However, Arab victories led to the creation of a caliphate in Cordoba led by Abd Al-Rahman III. Salamanca was retaken by the Ar abs in 941 and they even ransacked Barcelona in 985 and Santiago de la Compostela in 997. In fact, the latter was destroyed in 1022 by Al-Mansur.In 1031, Ferdinand I of Leon and Castile annexed Leon and in 1055, they started the Reconquista of Muslim kingdoms. In 1072, Alphonse VI was the king of Leon and Castile. He later became the king of Toledo and Galicia through conquest and heritage. Thus, the Spanish kingdom was slowly reuniting.Alphonse VI counted on El Cid, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, as Prince of Valencia from 1094 for five years. The city was retaken in 1102 by Almoravids who reunified Muslim Spain in 1103.Of the 12th-century Muslim victories, the most notable include Ucles (1108), Zaragoza (1111), and Barcelona (1114).From 1118 onwards, the Christians started taking back territory. In 1128, Portugal gained its independence but it wouldn’t be until 1139 that it’d get its first king, Alphonse I.The Muslim and Christian kingdoms battled regularly during the 13th century. H ere are some of the major victories for Castile and Aragon.1229: Majorca1235: Ibiza1236: Cordoba1238: Valencia1246: Jaen1248: Seville1265: Murcia1282: SicilyThe Medieval Era in Spain ended with a complete victory for the Catholics with their heads of state being Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, major figures in Spanish history.You can also improve your Spanish by watching the best Spanish series.Modern Spanish History: Colonialism and Decadence1492 wasn’t just the year where the Reconquista ended. This is also the year in which the sovereigns of Castile and Aragon financed Christopher Columbus’ expedition. He’d land on the island of Hispaniola at the end of the year.While public opinion of Christopher Columbus is shifting, he remains an important part of Spanish history. (Source: eminens)The Spanish empire also continued to expand, starting a golden age for the Spanish. In 1494, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, splitting the new world in two.T he same year, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon were given the titles of Catholic Queen and King respectively by Pope Alexander Vi. Isabella died in 1504 after a long and fruitful reign. She left behind her Joanna of Castile, also known as Joanna the Mad, who was incapable of leading. Ferdinand took control of the kingdom.When he died in 1516, it was Charles I of the Habsburgs. In 1519, as Cortes was landing in Chalchiuhcuecan in Mexico, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire died, leaving Charles I (of Spain) to become Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire.The next year, the Spanish left the Aztec Capital Tenochtitlan, following a revolt from the natives. The Spanish spoke of the Aztecs with quite some disgust.If they couldn’t educate them, they would have to force them. In 1521, Tenochtitlan was taken by Cortes. Cortes returned to Spain a hero having pillaged and massacred local populations.The reign of Charles V included a number of important events:His rivalry with Franci s I of France.His conflicts and alliances with Henry VIII.His marriage to Isabella of Portugal, giving him sovereignty over the territory.The loss of lands to the Antipope Clement VII during the Western Schism.The conquest of the Incan capital, Cuzco, by Pizarro.The revolution in the Netherlands, which was quelled by the Spanish and Pragmatic Sanction.His retirement towards the end of his life, leaving Phillip II in charge.It wasn’t until 1561 that Madrid became the capital of Spain.The modern era was marred by several conflicts with France, Spain, the Dutch Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. The Unsinkable Armada was also sunk in 1589 by the English!The 17th century was a period of decline for Spain after the death of Phillip II even though the arts (including Cervante’s Don Quixote) continued to thrive. In terms of economy, diplomacy, and politics, Spain was weakened.It wouldn’t be until the end of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713) that Spain found its feet with P hillip V. However, Spanish sovereigns could no longer claim crowns to other countries. The 18th century included economic growth and international trade.Find out more about other famous Spaniards.Contemporary Spanish History: From Franco to DemocracyThis era started with a counterrevolutionary war between Spain and France. However, the Spanish were quickly overrun by Napoleon who occupied the peninsula from 1808 to 1814.Modern Spain as a democracy has only existed for less than half a century! (Source: papagnoc)The 19th century was rife with political instability in Spain and regular coups d’état. The first republic was unsuccessful, lasting just two years between 1873 and 1875. The result was a parliamentary democracy which lasted until 1923 when Primo de Rivera led a coup d’état.This was also the same year that General Franco was named commander of the Spanish foreign legion.Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship lasted between 1923 to 1930. Censorship, institutions under the cont rol of the army, and the suppression of parliament: all authoritarian tactics that inspired Mussolini’s regime. Primo de Rivera wanted to restore Spanish society, boost the country’s economy, and install a strong sense of nationalism.However, his dictatorship was considered too soft and the populace tired of it. The 1929 economic recession was the final nail in the coffin for the regime. Primo de Rivera stepped down in 1930 and died a few weeks later in exile.A fragile 2nd Republic was put in place in 1931 and it seemed full of promise following several important social reforms. However, political and ideological division and a disastrous economy led to violence in 1936.In 1936, Franco led a group of nationalists. On 1st October, Franco declared himself “Caudillo” and began in a civil war against “Red Spain”. In 1937, he unified the nationalist political parties under his banner.Thanks to nationalist and Christian propaganda as well as the support of Nazi Germany and Fas cist Italy, Franco won the war in 1939 and became the leader of Spain:“Generalísimo Francisco Franco, Caudillo de España por la Gracia de Dios”His regime lasted for 36 years. It was an authoritarian autocracy which was paradoxically quite open to the rest of the world. His goals included economic modernisation, a common tactic of modern dictators.In 1975, Franco died, allowing the Spanish royal heir, Juan Carlos, to retake the throne. In collaboration with his prime minister, Adolfo Suárez, he led a transition towards democracy between 1976 and 1982. The democratic Spain we know today is actually very young!You should now know more about the history of this great country and the events that took place on its soil.To learn more about the subject, consider learning Spanish with a Spanish tutor and checking out our other articles on Spain, learning Spanish, listening to Spanish music, and getting ready to travel to Spain.

What is it Like to Attend University of Colorado Denver

What is it Like to Attend University of Colorado Denver The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Dallas is a Denver tutor specializing in Biology tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, German tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and a number of other areas. He is currently a junior at University of Colorado Denver majoring in Biology. See what he had to share about University of Colorado Denver: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Dallas: The campus is in an urban setting with three different academic institutions on a single shared campus. The shared campus is called the Auraria Higher Education Center, and it includes University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver. The campus is extremely safe (with 24-hour surveillance by the police department) and extremely accessible. There are two light rail stops directly on campus, as well as a multitude of bus lines that drop students off around campus. There is a parking lot for commuter students, and many students ride their bikes since a bike is able to go onto the light rail trains and the buses. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Dallas:The professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants are available when you need to speak to them. Like most universities, you do need to schedule an appointment to see a professor during office hours, but most professors will answer a question via email as soon as they possibly can. Some classes have LAs, which are learning assistants who were students in that same class the previous semester or year. They are available for help sessions or quick questions. The teaching assistants are great because they will normally find time to answer your questions and help you out as much as possible. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Dallas:University of Colorado Denver does not have a traditional dorm life since we do not have dorms that are owned by the school. All of the student housing is contracted out to private companies, and they are apartments. My apartment is approximately a ten-minute walk from the student union, and the rooms are great. I have a studio apartment, which is a great size for a single student. I know of students who have a 2x1 apartment. The 2x1 is a two-bedroom apartment that shares a common area (living room), kitchen, and bathroom. The apartments are fully furnished, and their location is optimal. Campus Village holds student activities all of the time. These activities can range from how to become a better student, a Halloween dance, or a night out in Golden, Colorado. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Dallas:University of Colorado Denver is known for its academics. We are the only school in Colorado to have a medical school, and it is one of the best in the country. Our medical school ranks in the top six for pediatrics. Any science major (as well as Animation or Public Health) is well represented and supported by the school. I am a Biology major on a pre-medicine track, and I am minoring in both German and Public Health. Most Biology majors elect to become Public Health minors since most Biology majors aspire to go to medical school. The university is doing an excellent job in supporting my areas of study. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Dallas:As a transfer student, making friends was quite simple. Most of my friends live in the apartment complex with me, and I have a few that I met in class. The students on this campus are quite nice, and we are all studying to better ourselves. Greek life does not play a significant role in the campus setting since all of our fraternities and sororities are in Boulder, Colorado. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Dallas:The Career Center is extremely helpful when you are trying to find a job. They have walk-up options available during certain hours to review your resume and make you more marketable for the job market. The student support services are all based in the shared student union, and they are more than willing to help you with anything. We constantly have job fairs for companies to recruit new candidates. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Dallas:When it comes to a campus that holds over 60,000 students, we do everything in extremes. Our student union is extremely large - large enough for a two-story bookstore, a full pool hall and game room, a pizza restaurant, a food court, a brewery, and much more in its six floors of space. Our library is in the center of campus, and it holds volumes for all of the universities and schools on the Auraria campus. The library is extremely large and also houses classrooms, computers, outdoor patios, and a large display area. There is more than enough room for all the students on campus. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Dallas:Denver has more than enough to keep one busy. We have an aquarium, zoo, botanic gardens, the state capital building, historic landmarks, breweries, amusement parks, and one of the largest water parks in the country. We have plenty of shopping, and anyone can find something to interest him or her here. Students are always going downtown because our campus is only about four blocks from downtown. We are called the downtown campus by locals. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Dallas:The size of the student body depends on what university or school you are attending. University of Colorado Denver has approximately 29,000 students, and the class sizes depend on the subject matter. For example, a general Chemistry class or introductory Public Health class may have 100 or more students in lecture, whereas the recitation or lab will have only 30. A first year Spanish course will have approximately 25 students in it. University of Colorado Denver is known for having a 17:1 student to faculty ratio. I am generally pleased with the class sizes because of the amount of help that is available to students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Dallas:In my Chemistry lab, we had a wonderful lab instructor. She was fair and loved to teach students to the best of her ability. During one lab, we were experimenting with a chemical that created a toxic byproduct to conduct a test on cations. During the lecture portion of the lab, she made sure that everyone knew that if she smelled rotten eggs we were all going to run out of the lab. Of course we had one group decide to open the chemical hood too far, and it allowed for the toxic gas to seep into the lab. I will never forget how fast the instructor ran to close the hood and to get all of the gas out of the lab. She warned us and saved us from a disaster. I cannot forget her because of how amazing she was. Check out Dallasstutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Difference between EVERY and EACH - Learn English Grammar Rules

Difference between EVERY and EACH - Learn English Grammar Rules My students would like to know what is the difference between EVERY  and EACH. So I am very happy to write a post on this aspect of the English Grammar. Both EACH  and EVERY  are determiners, words which come with singular nouns to indicate quantity.  EACH  and EVERY  are very similar in meaning and often it is possible to use both:For example  â€" This hotel is ideal, every/each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Difference between Every and Each We use EVERY in English:When we refer to the group as a whole as EVERY is closer in meaning to ALLEx. Every route has a real time departure information.After a possessiveEx. She listened to his every word.With some abstract nouns to draw attention that something is correct or necessaryEx. Your sister had every right to say this.I have every reason to give up that job.With plural nouns in phrases of frequencyEx. I go to the gym every two days.With adverbs almost, nearly, just about, practicallyEx. You are late almost every day! When to Use Each and Every in English Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: We use EACH in English:As a pronoun with of + nounEx. Each of them has been told to wait.As a pronoun on its ownEx. Five athletes took part in this competition, and each was determined to win. (each one or each of them is more common though)After nouns or pronouns for emphasisEx. They each brought a friend with them. Please note Expression EACH AND EVERY is a fixed collocation meaning “every single” (used for emphasis). Use of EVERY and EACH examplesI wish each and every one of you the best of luck with upcoming IELTS exams.Each and every building in this town was re-built after the war.Each and every team member received an award.Each and every time we go to that restaurant, the service is slow.You need to make the most out of each and every opportunity.For those students who prefer learning English on YouTube here is my short video lesson explaining the difference between EVERY and EACH: Difference between EVERY and EACH - Video Lesson

Tips to Help Children Become Better Writers

Tips to Help Children Become Better Writers Writing is one of the most important skills a child will acquire as a studentand also one of the most difficult to master. Why? Eileen Huntingtonof Huntington Learning Center explains that writing involves a combination of skills. Good writers are also good readers and have strong critical thinking and analytical skills, not to mention reading comprehension skills, Huntingtonsays. It is something that takes lots of practice, which can be a challenge when children struggle with any of the underlying building blocks. Luckily, Huntingtonsays there are a number of ways students can build their writing skills from the ground up. Here are a few tips to help students develop and improve their writing skills: Read more. Many teachers say that the best way to become a better writer is to read more and read widely. There are many reasons for this: reading helps children expand their vocabulary, understand the many different uses of language and methods of storytelling or informative writing, and see grammar rules in action. It helps them appreciate the concept of voice in fiction and develop an understanding of how to share information in a clear, coherent, succinct way in nonfiction. Brainstorm first. Strong writers often invest as much into the preparation required to write as the writing itself. For an essay or other writing assignment, your child should become adept at the brainstorming process. If given a specific topic, your childs job is easier, but if not, encourage him or her to think through an approach to the topic before writing. Your child should ask questions such as: What is most interesting about this subject? Who am I speaking to? What facts about this topic might people not already know? Get organized before writing. When writing anything from a two-page book report to a 15-page research paper to an opinion essay, an outline is a must. This helps writers organize their ideas and present them in the most logical, compelling way. Encourage your child to refer back to their brainstorming notes and come up with the big idea of what theyre writing and main three or four points, then confirm that they are answering the questions being asked of them (in an assignment). Even a loose outline will help your child write more clearly and stay on topic when working from a writing prompt or assignment. Become a better editor. Strong writers know that no article, essay or story comes out perfect the first time. Teach your child to think of writing as a process that involves writing, editing, improving (and repeating if needed). After your child writes a draft, he or she should set it aside, then read with fresh eyes no sooner than a few hours later. At this point, your child should mark up the written piece for grammar and spelling mistakes as well as any areas that are unclear, do not follow the outline, do not make sense or could make his or her points stronger. It can be helpful for you to read your childs work as well. Write for fun. For many children, the mechanics of writing make it a frustrating subjectnot to mention the fact that so much of what they write is required for school. Encourage your child to keep a journal, or even make it something you do together each evening. A daily journaling habit has numerous benefits for a childs emotional well-being and stress level, but it is also a great way to think critically through ideas and express opinions and feelings in writing. Writing letters to a friend, grandparent or other family member is another valuable and fun activity. Like any subject, writing is one where practice makes better. The more your child writes, the more he or she will improveand perhaps even enjoy it. Writing well involves using vivid language, organizing ones thoughts and using good grammar and spelling, says Last Name. These are all things students can improve by reading frequently and seeking guidance from their teachersand of course through plenty of repetition. If your child needs help building the skills that writing requires or would simply like some guidance on how to become a better writer, call Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARNor visit www.huntingtonhelps.com. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2016 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Learning a Language by Reading Books 5 Super Strategies

Learning a Language by Reading Books 5 Super Strategies Wish you were fluent last week?Youve seriously got to slow your roll.But, hey, I get it most language learners want to hit fluency as fast as possible.Nobody likes floundering around in basic linguistics like a toddler.Would you be surprised if I told you that curling up and reading a good book may actually be the fastest way to fluency?Its amazing how the methods we use to learn language are often totally in-congruent with our goals.Here’s how the thinking goes: I need to speak the language fast, so I’m gonna spend every second practicing how to speak. I’m gonna put all my energies into imitating the natives. I’m not gonna go about reading books because they’re just too boring and too slow  for me.Maybe youve fallen in love with a native speaker and wanted to knock her socks off with confessions of love in her native tongue. Or perhaps a career promotion or assignment hinges on you being able to converse in a foreign dialect. So you need to learn the language, and fast!No thing wrong with that. These are, after all, worthwhile pursuits. And hey, who really has the time to go slow and wait for flowers to bloom these days?But by sitting down and reading, youre going to get yourself farther, faster. Why Youve Gotta Start Using Books to Learn LanguageReading a foreign book may sound like a waste of time. It’s too academic, too high-brow, when you only wanted to communicate like a modern day native speaker.Sounds intuitive, doesnt it? You just wanted to speak, so you practiced speaking.  Unfortunately, common sense works against you in this case. Because, get this: if you want to speak right, you’re gonna have to do a lot of reading in your target language.  Language acquisition requires you to connect the dots. Listening is just one of the dots. Getting the context right is one of the dots. Imitating the native speakers is one of the dots. Reading, sure enough, is also one of the dots.So if you really want to learn a new language fast, then you bet ter get on the couch and read!  You have no idea how limited the speech-centric approach to learning a language really is. Here are some major reasons why reading books is the best way to go:You need to learn the rules first. You cant play around with a language (like everyday people do) until you learn  the rules of grammar and style. Native speakers understandably take these rules for granted, or arent even aware that they exist! You listen to a native and what you hear are the grammar rules mangled in almost every way possible. You hear the richness of the language as exemplified by the exception to the grammar rules. The problem is, you won’t grasp any language just by learning about the exceptions! You first need to look into the underlying language principles that they break. Then you can practice breaking them just like any native speaker. Only then will you truly appreciate the language.The brain is able to remember more when it sees things. Learning is facilitated by visu al cues, and reading helps the brain remember by showing it the words and the pictures that the word represents.Books contain a richer language.  The  speech-centric approach is inscrutably vague. Compared to the written word, the spoken word is very ambiguous. Average speakers don’t spend as much time choosing their words as writers do. So there is very little nuance in the spoken language.  A lot of things are BAD in the spoken language. Spoken language eliminates much of the nuanced texture of the language by simply saying, it was a bad day  or it was a bad sign. Meanwhile, in written form, things are more often  awful, dreadful, shocking, dire, unpleasant, evil, ruthless, base, poor, inferior, deficient, imperfect, naughty, mischievous, serious, critical, and so much more!Attack the language on all fronts.  If you really want to learn a language fast, you need to attack it in every way possible. Confining yourself to a single learning source, you won’t be able to connect the dots and make out the big picture. You need to read, you need to talk to natives, you need to experience the language in all its facets.The Inherent Advantages of Learning by Reading BooksIm not even alluding here to the depth and breadth of knowledge that one gains from reading foreign nonfiction or books on specialized topics like economics, politics, philosophy etc. I’m referring to the simplest of books â€" books that have approximately 1 sentence per page â€" children’s books!Imagine. An unassuming 8-pager, targeted to 4-year olds and full of colorful illustrations, has something to offer a 40-year old professional.Reading Eliminates Limiting Factors from Language LearningA limiting factor is something that, regardless of the time, energy and money spent on the process, hinders your language learning.You don’t have to travel to distant lands to learn a language.  Learning shouldnt be encumbered by something like the lack of a plane ticket. You just have to grab a book. D o that and youll be able to travel through space and time. Stay in your seat and learn about how other people refer to tables, chairs, apples and other daily items in their own language.Your books will always be there for you. By reading a book, you remove another limiting factor of language acquisitionâ€"that of finding a capable and consistent instructor or mentor. The consistency issue is precluded because the lessons are permanently printed on the book. Theyre not dependent on the moods swings or the availability of the instructor. Books never tire or get mad after the 20th repetition. You go at it at your own pace. Your self-esteem wont take a hit because another person is witnessing your relatively slow progress.Books help you get more immersed in language. A book paints a picture that an instructor never can â€" children’s books are especially good at this. You dont have to worry about having the money for professional instruction. Books are the best alternative. Choose mat erials from the most reputable sources and you are assured of competent teaching. (Forums abound with reviews that can help decide if a particular book will work for you.)  The thing is, reading can bring you at the doorsteps of the most experienced language teachers around â€" those who have decades of experience. No, you don’t have to meet them personally, and it’s not like their personal coaching is cheap. But you can most certainly get a book that distills their most effective methods.Reading Reinforces Word-AcquisitionReading gives the brain much to work on. It actively involves the visual cortex in the learning process and makes the lessons more memorable. So instead of just listening to the Spanish word saltar  (jump), youll see how the word is spelled and used in a simple sentence. Youll also see a beautifully colored illustration of a little boy jumping. Thats definitely more memorable than simply listening to a word being spoken, or seeing it written on a white board a long with a hundred other words.Your grasp of the language greatly depends on the words youre able to make out in the context of a sentence. In short, vocabulary. And a book is very good at making vocabulary lessons memorable enough for them to stick.As Ive said before, you need to attack the language in different angles. I’m not saying that reading trumps all the other methods. I’m not saying that listening and speech-centric approaches don’t work. They do! And they all have a role to play. I’m saying that you need all of the approaches to give you different pieces of the puzzle. They all work together to stimulate all the senses and burn the lessons in your head.Word acquisition will be painfully slow without the help of a good book that makes the words come to life.Reading Promotes Word PrecisionAs mentioned before, the written word is more nuanced than the spoken word. Writers consider their words more carefully than a native speaker chit-chatting with friends. When nati ve speakers talk in person, they have the advantage of a shared context. And often, they only have one listener to attend to.A writer, in addition to the multiplicity of potential readers, needs to consider the different instances that a book will be read. He needs to be thoughtful of the different backgrounds of his audience. So he needs to be very accurate and precise with his writing. He cannot be as vague as the speakers, because he can easily be misunderstood and he won’t be there to defend himself.So, if you want a more precise grasp of a language, youve got to read and see how the nuances slightly change the intent of each sentence. And you won’t get this kind of experience just by talking to the first native speaker you meet. Your book has gone through a lot of edits and rework to make it sound just right.Learning a Language by Reading Books: 5 Super StrategiesIf you’re gonna be reading, then you better be doing it right. Youd save a lot of time and effort doing so. Pe ople who swear that reading never works often arent doing it right. So here are the 5 super strategies thatll make reading not only worthwhile but also very effective.  1. Read Childrens BooksStart with books that have shorter content, basic vocabulary and use simple sentence structures.The category that meets all these requirements is children’s books. The thing that turns people off with this type of literature is only that it insults their sensibilities. I’m a fully grown man and you want me to read what?? They forget that, for all intents and purposes, theyre really just like kids  in the language that theyre trying to learn!Because they think they know better, they jump right to intermediate level books and then later complain that the language is too hard to learn.Starting off with the easiest reading material is very crucial to your progress. All the other books assume you have the basics down. Don’t think that by reading the intermediate material, you can learn the bas ics along the way. No, that doesnt work that way. Youll only be hurting yourself when you become overly ambitious with your learning material.Drop your prejudice against children’s books and start reading early, not when you’re already months into your studies. Have an open mind and youll be on the sure path to language acquisition.  2. Read Parallel TextsIn addition to reading the easy ones first, try reading books that are written in dual language, where the translations are written immediately below the sentence youre reading. This one-to-one sentence correspondence will save you from reaching for the nearest dictionary to locate the meaning of a word. As a result, youll have a smoother reading experience.Youll also be able to notice how the grammar rules of your target language compare with your own thanks to this layout. Youll be able to take advantage of the similarities and be aware of the differences. You might, for example, notice that the language you’re studying pre dominantly mentions the subject ahead of the verb (e.g.  The dog is sleeping.)   just like in English.  3. Read ExtensivelyThis is about quantity.Don’t worry too much if you’re not fully absorbing the actual meaning of the material youre reading. Just read on. Don’t be tempted to grab the dictionary on the first unfamiliar word you meet. Just barrel through the text and read on anyway.The purpose of this kind of reading is to expose you to as much material as possible. Don’t worry about comprehension. Were practicing your contextualizing abilities here. Simply guess what youre reading about. You don’t have to get it right all the time, just make a guess and trust that youll be close enough. (In the story you’re reading, for example, try to make out what’s actually happening overall.)Now I know that there are some types of personalities wholl be having a difficult time with this. They don’t wanna move ahead without first understanding every word, every phrase and ever y sentence on the page. Otherwise, theyll get a nagging feeling that somethings wrong.I strongly urge you to let go of the burden and just barrel through the text. Don’t worry, nobody’s watching.4. Read IntensivelyThis is the direct opposite of the previous method. Youll need to designate reading time for both of these strategies. Each one has its own merits.Reading intensively is about quality.Actively be involved in what youre reading. Meaning, try to absorb all the lessons presented on one page before moving on to the next.Have a dictionary close by. Write copious amounts of notes on the margins of the page. Write your mnemonics, insights and examples. Underline, highlight and encircle words. Dog ear the pages.Your goal isnt to finish the book or to get the story. Your goal is to learn the language along the way. Don’t busy yourself with the character or the plot. Theyre but means to an end.5. Read Your HobbyRead about what interests you. Are you into cooking? Read recipes and cookbooks in your target language. Do you love entertainment and celebrity stories? I’m sure theres a ready publication that caters to that love.Thisll ensure that you won’t get bored with what you’re setting your eyes on. Because truth be told, reading in a foreign language is no walk in the park at first. Youre facing a page filled with strange writing, punctuation and grammar rules. So reading a subject that naturally engages you will help ease the labor pains.In addition, the specific vocabulary you develop by reading a specific field will be your stable jumping off point into the language as a whole. A field of interest, like cooking, will have terms and jargons that are often repeated and most commonly associated with it. Try applying these words to the language as a whole. Sure, therell be terms that are unique only to the field, but therell always be words that are perfectly applicable to the language in general. Use these words to help open up the language for you .Remember, these 5 strategies are here to make you not only read effectively, but also help you in the larger role of acquiring the language. I hope you stop thinking that reading is only for people who are interested in higher linguistic forms or complicated grammar rules. It’s for everyone who hopes to understand a second language. Reading can make the difference between you speaking the language that you love, and you still knowing only English.If you want to get the very basics of a tongue, you better sit tight and read! And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

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